Federal Courts and Constitutional Law

Federal Judge Katherine M. Menendez denied Minnesota, Minneapolis and St. Paul’s request for a preliminary injunction to halt Operation Metro Surge — the roughly 3,000‑agent immigration enforcement deployment — finding the plaintiffs failed to show they were likely to succeed on a 10th Amendment/commandeering theory, noting mixed evidence about federal motive and citing a recent Eighth Circuit decision. Menendez wrote the operation has had “profound and even heartbreaking” consequences, including shootings and community disruption, while emphasizing her ruling is an early‑stage decision that drew sharp criticism from local leaders and praise from DOJ and Attorney General Pam Bondi.